The plan was to take the kids to one of the many elaborate Pumpkin farms there. The prices for their attractions are really spendy~ especially times 6 people. So I had prepared the kids to pick out just one or two things and that would probably be all we would do. When we got there and mentioned that the kids were home schooled (obviously school age kids there during school hours) they decided to give us the rate they give schools for field trips. It was CRAZY cheap all day passes. We were thrilled!!! Not only did they get to do everything but they got to do it as much as they wanted. Our time together at the farm was nothing short of magical and we even took a moment to stop right in the middle of that pumpkin farm and pray a prayer of thanks to a God that constantly blesses us beyond what we would even think to ask for!
Gotta love a place with potty humor!
As usual Luke wants NOTHING to do with animals, so he just stands around looking cute while his siblings go crazy over feeding the goats.
The others had a blast with them. Lovenie used to be terrified of any animal a year ago, but got right in there with them until one of the goats mistook her hair for food and gave it a nibble. That was the end of her goat adventures.
Lovenie's very first time on a pony
Johnny was pretty much bored right away. I guess after more then 55 visits to Disneyland last year he has become accustomed to a bit more thrill factor.
Cowboy Jude LOVES any time on a horse.Train ride~
Bouncy Fun~
Just chillin' on a snack break
A VERY exciting Hay ride. It was POURING rain outside while we were on this covered hay ride and then stopped when it was time for us to get out
This is Johnny BEGGING me for a slice of pumpkin pie. Not only is it nearly impossible to say no to his big blue eyes but Johnny is such an easy going kid that he almost never asks for anything, much less BEGS for something. I didn't give in and buy him a slice.... I bought him a WHOLE PIE. You woulda thought he won the lottery the way he wigged out!
Just being precious
Hours of outdoor fun had us all tired and hungry so, after checking into our hotel, we headed off to this quirky restaurant for a refill.
I LOVE eating out with our kids. It's as if they put on their absolute best manners. They were so quiet and funny. They were sharing with each other and just being so sweet.Outside of the restaurant is this gutted out double decker bus which now serves only 1 purpose~ to be partied in. It was empty and the kids asked if they could go in it and play. I told them to go wild and OH BOY DID THEY EVER!
Swinging from the rafters? We've done it!
Once we were all officially worn out we headed back to the hotel. It was one of those days that everything just came together so perfectly and you could hardly wrap your mind around it all. Included in that was that we were able to get a 2 bedroom suite for only $15 more then a regular room, making 1 adult traveling with 5 kids no problem!
Enjoying the begged for pumpkin pie while staying up late to watch a movie. The hotel gave us a late check out so we were able to finish school and have lunch before leaving.
Next stop was to a different pumpkin farm to check out it's monstrous hay maze. We had heard legends of it but... WOW! It was so cool!!!!
It was fun and maddening at the same time. Nearly every way you turn looked the same as the last place you had been. Yet, it went on and on and often circled you right back to where you started.The kids and I were determined as we laughed, played, ran, and took turns deciding which way to try next.
Every now and then we would come to these huge clearings and the kids would run around in circles
We came to many dead ends.
Around 45 minutes into our search most of us rested.
Except Jude who rolled around in the hay
and entertained us with flips and hand stands
After almost an hour and a half of searching for a way out Luke (6) and Lovenie (5) had decided they had reached their limit. I had also discovered allergies to Hay and was a bit miserable. The older boys were so very disappointed because they were determined to find the end. I agreed to let them continue if they stayed together and promised to leave out an emergency exit (which were everywhere) if they needed to come out.
Luke and Lovenie stay out of the wind while snacking in a hut.
Every now and then we would come to these huge clearings and the kids would run around in circles
We came to many dead ends.
Around 45 minutes into our search most of us rested.
Except Jude who rolled around in the hay
and entertained us with flips and hand stands
After almost an hour and a half of searching for a way out Luke (6) and Lovenie (5) had decided they had reached their limit. I had also discovered allergies to Hay and was a bit miserable. The older boys were so very disappointed because they were determined to find the end. I agreed to let them continue if they stayed together and promised to leave out an emergency exit (which were everywhere) if they needed to come out.
Luke and Lovenie stay out of the wind while snacking in a hut.About 20 minutes later the boys exitted out an emergency exit. Only one of the boys wanted to give up so they all came out with him but the other two were so disappointed. While waiting on the boys I had watched many families giving up and leaving the maze out of the emergency exits also. There was just one group of kids that I watched run in and out of the maze again and again exitting out of the actual exit. Before leaving I went to them and asked them to take us through and show us how. No joke... we were out in 5 minutes!!! Turns out there was a trap door that you had to know to look for and it is the only way to get to the path that gets you out. We just took the maze at face value and tried to work through it. I was so glad for the boys that really wanted to complete it that we were able to get it done.
We couldn't very well go and stay in a beach town without any beach time so despite the sun setting and the cold we hit the beach before leaving.
Lovenie really really does not like being "coooowwwd"
Me and my carribean sweethearts bundled up and watched the waves while the native California boys played in the waves and came back wet and happy.
We couldn't very well go and stay in a beach town without any beach time so despite the sun setting and the cold we hit the beach before leaving.
Lovenie really really does not like being "coooowwwd"Me and my carribean sweethearts bundled up and watched the waves while the native California boys played in the waves and came back wet and happy.
What wonderful memories!
